Focus

 Focus is a single concept has held the key for success in so many different endeavors of life. Businesses thrive when their actions are highly focused; they become skilled at delivering a high quality product. Dancers, musicians, physicians, and sports athletes spend endless hours practicing in order to become the best they can be at their chosen endeavor. A great deal of this practice involves developing "muscle memory," (action without analysis) immediate action born out of training. This concept was at the heart of Paul’s own interest when he challenged believers to “set our minds on things above” in the Colossian letter (3:2). It was the foremost attitude of Paul's message to the Philippians when he said, "it is the one thing I do." Focus is fundamental to spiritual success as well as other areas of success. Keeping the main goal in focus during the multitude of their other responsibilities is always a challenge for a follower of Jesus Christ. One of the key elements to spiritual growth is the ability to obtain and then maintain focus during the Christian life. The critical part of the ultimate solution is to let go of our own limited solutions and let the indwelling Holy Spirit guide us to do what He wants. When one does this, they will be successful in the things that matter most in life: another step along the pathway known as your personal spiritual journey. "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:13–14 (NASB)